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Is This Poison Ivy?

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Submitted by:  Sarah Hoffman
Date Submitted: 7/6/2003
Location: central Texas

Question Asked: This vine recently started growing in my garden. It has spread rapidily and is creeping up my crepe mrytle as well as up several neighboring plants. The new leaves on the vine have a reddish tint. I live in the central Texas area. (Last year, I had several serious rashes that the doctor thought was due to poison ivy/oak, but I never identified any poisonous plants in our yard. This particular vine just sprouted this summer.)

Answer: Hi Sarah -

I know at first glance this would appear to be poison ivy but it isn't. The leaflet shape is the give away here. I don't see enough of the vine to see if there are other differences but the leaflet shape is enough for me. This plant I believe is trailing wild bean (straphostyles helvula) and is found in Texas. If you'd like to know more about legumes in Texas, you can go to this site: Native and Naturalized Warm Season Herbaceous Texas Legumes